Donnellan has spent his entire adult life serving the residents of San Mateo County in some manner. He understands that people who live on the coastside face different issues than those who live in Menlo Park. That's important for a judge who will be dealing with the ins and outs of jury selection, family disputes and calendaring hearings. Donnellan appears ready to take whatever duties the job throws at him.
As a practical matter, this would not be possible. The defense lawyer said Mangione will be in court all day and return to jail beyond the hours when he would be able to have a visit with his lawyers. Friedman Agnifilo also said Mangione won't be allowed to look at the questionnaires by himself while in jail, because they'll include potential jurors' identifying information.
Jury selection in a Stanford felony vandalism case grew tense Monday as prosecutors and defense attorneys sparred over whether prospective jurors could be questioned about their views on Israel and Palestine in front of the full panel, highlighting how divisive views on the war in Gaza have complicated a routine judicial process. The case centers on five of the 13 students initially arrested and accused of damaging Stanford's executive offices during a June 2024 protest urging the university to divest from Israel-linked companies.
Seven men and five women have been sworn in as jurors, as well as two women who will serve as extra jurors and sit through the opening in case of difficulties. Judge Andrew Menary explains that they will first hear an opening on the case from the prosecution. He says the case concerns allegations connected to Doyle's conduct at the Liverpool FC parade.
With jury selection set to begin Tuesday, Brian Walshe changed his plea to guilty on two of the three charges he's facing: willfully misleading a police investigation and willfully conveying away a human body or the remains thereof.
Judge Diane Freniere at a conference review hearing on Friday set his next competency hearing for Nov.14, with the final pre-trial conference on Nov. 17. Jury selection is set to begin Nov. 18 and last about two weeks. Freniere said she hopes to wrap this trial up by Christmas. Of course, Freniere said, "Hope is not a plan," while setting the hearing dates to choose 16 jurors for the case.
Jury selection is underway for Abdul Olasupo, charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon related to a deadly shooting in a Staten Island deli.
